Dignified

Cherry

By Deliberately Evolving

Sat, 11 Jun 2016
  • 3047 reads
14 comments
 

I've watched people dying...

nursed elderly grandparents,
declining. 
Had the call -
best friend in a car crash,
killed outright.
I've seen animals, grow old, 
get sick - take their last breaths 
in my arms while I stroked them,
as my tears fell to their fur.
It was sad and I cried.
I felt part of this 
painful circle of life.
But this is different.
I've never seen someone's
body failing them,
turn against them.
Seen them grow so weak,
unable to speak 
or even brush their own teeth
and still maintain 
the dignity of a queen.
She is the most independent 
stoic, stalwart, stately woman.
How she managed to maintain 
her intelligence,
her wit, her humour - I'll never know.
Her ability to communicate
(a skill she always has in abundance)
second to none.
Use the wrinkling of her nose 
or a slight raise of an eyebrow 
to convey her wishes. 
Force herself, mind over matter,
to do things herself,
to get struck back 
and continually recover.
It's a war she can't win,
but she'll battle like no other.
She's amazing...
 
my mother.
Certificate U
Poem
Journal
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

You seem to have a similar skill to her in conveying the detail of living life at the moment. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Thank you Rhiannon. She does have quite a skill with that. I would love to have even half the talent she does.

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

Amazing is right. The writing could not have been easy. I'm glad you managed it. It's wonderful.

Rich x

 

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Thank you Rich.

 

x

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Simple and stark, and I think this conveys what you're saying a million times better than anything more wordy.

 

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Thank you insert. X

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Dignity in adversity is a tough thing to sustain.  I'm full of admiration.

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Me too. It's constantly surprising.

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Reading this bought a lump to my throat. This must be the hardest time for you and yet you're managing to keep going. Bee sounds like my dad when he had cancer and I had to nurse him. He always kept his sense of humour and wouldn't hear of anyone getting sad.

A piece of writing that stirred my own memories.

Thank you for sharing.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Thanks for sharing Jenny.

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by alexis88 on

wow, brought a tear to my eye. Thanks for sharing this x

Submitted by airyfairy on

Beautiful poem.  Thoughts are with both of you.

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

Thank you. X

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by Ed Crane on

Until now I didn't realise Bee is your Mum. Clearly you have been gifted with the same talent. I imagine things are very hard for her and you too now. I do hope Deb is comfortable and without pain.

We corresponded a lot about her problems and I feel privileged that she even sought my thought on whether she should go for chemo and wanted to know my experiences. I only wish she could have been as fortunate as me (so far). I really miss her writing, your Mum is a wonderful person.

Keithx